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An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad, resuming hearing of the 2008 Mumbai attacks case on Wednesday, has summoned the last two Pakistani prosecution witnesses and directed government officials to submit details regarding the availability of 27 Indian witnesses in the next hearing "so as to conclude the trial expeditiously".

The case is being tried in the ATC since 2009.

The Mumbai attacks, which took place in 2008, resurfaced in recent headlines, with progress in the trial coming under question, when ousted premier Nawaz Sharif in an interview on Saturday had asked: "Why can’t we complete the trial?"

The statements of two more Pakistani witnesses ─ Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Additional Director General Wajid Zia and another official, Zahid Akhter ─ are still required.

The prosecutors today, however, sought adjournment due to engagements at the accountability courts. The court subsequently asked Akhter to appear in the next hearing, while Zia will be "summoned for prosecution evidence on May 23".

The prosecution completed the testimonies of 68 Pakistani witnesses last year.

The court today "observed with concern that since January 2016 upon the request of the prosecution, government functionaries sitting at the helm of affairs were directed repeatedly for producing 27 Indian nationals so as to give evidence in instant case, but till date no serious and final response has been given by the government".

"Now the case is in the final stages and only statements of two Pakistani officials have to be recorded, therefore, notice be served upon DG FIA, secretary of Interior and secretary for Foreign Affairs for submitting their final and concrete response in the court qua the availability of 27 Indian nationals so as to conclude the trial expeditiously," the court said.

"The response of said three senior government representatives duly signed by them personally shall reach this court till next date," it added.

In Jan 2016, the government had contacted New Delhi asking it to send the witnesses to Pakistan to testify against the Mumbai attacks suspects, including the alleged mastermind of the attacks.

Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, and the other suspects — Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hammad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younus Anjum — are being tried by the ATC in Islamabad since 2009. In August last year, the FIA also arrested Sufyan Zafar, the alleged financier of the attack.

At the time of the attacks, Lakhvi was believed to be the operational head of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) that has been accused by India of carrying out the attacks in India's financial capital. Lakhvi along with Zarar Shah was allegedly the key planner of the attack that killed 166 people.

Though a prime suspect in the case, the Lahore High Court had released Lakhvi on post-arrest bail in 2015 after he furnished Rs2 million in surety bonds.

The Indian government lodged a strong protest over his release; however, the Pakistani authorities demanded that India provide incriminating evidence against him so he can be held in jail and tried effectively.

Lakhvi's request for exemption from appearing in court today was accepted.

This case has dragged on since 2009. There is definitely something wrong with our judicial sysyem. Justice delayed is justice denied. Wht they need 27 Indiane wirnesses? Isn't 4 witnesses enough? Let leaders who planned the attack which killed 166 innocent people are on bail. Why the courts released such criminals on bail is beyond comprehension. This case should be wrapped up in a month, 10 years is a long time for the trial. The National assembly should pass a legislation forcing the courts to finish the criminal cases within one year. Why Chief justice did not take notice of this trial?

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Saif Zulfiqar

May 16, 2018 04:22pm

Close this case.

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Babu

May 16, 2018 04:41pm

Stop the drama.

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Babu

May 16, 2018 04:41pm

Thank you NS

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Shaukat Ali

May 16, 2018 04:43pm

But India has refused to send the witnesses. If pressed and made this as an issue, India may approach International Court looking at foreign nationals involved.

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Jjacky

May 16, 2018 04:46pm

@point of view impact of FATF BLACKLIST.

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Truth Seeker

May 16, 2018 04:53pm

Better late than never.

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Khan

May 16, 2018 05:00pm

At least NS made ATC wake up. Justice was in deep sleep.

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zak

May 16, 2018 05:19pm

Why is the accused Colonel Rohit of the Indian army who supplied the bombs and detonators for the Samjota Express ans was instrumental in the bombings and killings, released from arrest and allowed to go back to his unit to carry on working. Pakistan too should link this case to the Samjota express, Indians cannot kill Pakistanis returning home based on hatred and live with impunity. Let this also be raised in court about an enemy country.

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zak

May 16, 2018 05:21pm

@Nomi Goraya Lets wait for the verdict and see who is to blame. whatever the result, no one wants Nawaz around.

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Mishti

May 16, 2018 05:22pm

Not going to work. India, doubt, there will be any justice. To some point it will come to halt.

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zak

May 16, 2018 05:22pm

Lets see what Indian commnetators have to say about Samjota express. Are they keen for it to proceed and find the culprits or are they scared to see RSS and Modi behind the attack.

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R. K. Sonawane

May 16, 2018 05:28pm

@Desi Dimag - Yes, FATF meeting is scheduled in June 2018.

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satya

May 16, 2018 05:30pm

Drama. Laughable.

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Nadia

May 16, 2018 05:43pm

Is this a reaction to Nawaz Sharif's statement?

All this seems nothing but a dilemma of political nature.

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AK

May 16, 2018 05:44pm

Nawaz Sharif sincerely wants to have good neighbourly relation with India. That depends on how soon Pak will punish terrorists involved in the Mumbai attack. No more excuses by Pak.

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Dev

May 16, 2018 05:49pm

And the drama continues

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Bash

May 16, 2018 05:59pm

10 years for conducting a trial that should have been completed in months. That's why no one in world supports our narrative. Nawaz Sharif is absolutely right. Don't know why such a fuss was created out of his interview. Someone should talk about the elephant in the room.

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D patel

May 16, 2018 06:11pm

witnesses from India? would they be credible? will their oath be sincere? can they get witness protection?

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Observer

May 16, 2018 06:15pm

@point of view
Absolutely.

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Awais

May 16, 2018 06:16pm

Yes, I have the same question. Why cant we close the case. somebody is not speaking the truth here.

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SATT

May 16, 2018 06:21pm

Now this event proves Nawaz Sharif was right.But world will watch everything closely and no more drama can be done.

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Khuram

May 16, 2018 06:33pm

ATC knows very well the govt wont be able to summon the indian witnesses therefore this move intends to shift the blame put by Mian Nawaz Sharif on the courts, back to the govt.

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Bikram

May 16, 2018 06:40pm

Grey List Effect !!

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The Real Haroon

May 16, 2018 06:51pm

Why is this happening all of a sudden?

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Jagajilly

May 16, 2018 06:53pm

@Zak Will any one listen?(China included). There is something called credibility. You should have brought the culprits to justice and then raise Samjohta issue (your belief not necessarily a world view)

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Gaurav

May 16, 2018 07:06pm

Just 24 hours ago Pakistan senate "unanimously" declared Nawaz's statement as misleading. Now how come the trial has begun suddenly?